Macrophages: Targets for next-generation cancer immunotherapy - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #tumor-microenvironment
- #macrophages
- #cancer-immunotherapy
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in tumors and exhibit functional plasticity, influencing tumor progression or elimination.
- TAM heterogeneity is shaped by developmental origins, transcriptional programs, and microenvironmental cues.
- Next-generation strategies target TAMs to relieve immunosuppression and activate their tumoricidal potential.
- Approaches include modulating 'eat-me' pathways, immune checkpoint inhibition, signaling rewiring, and epigenetic/metabolic targeting.
- Bioengineering advances like bispecific antibodies, masked cytokines, and CAR T cells enable precise macrophage control.
- These therapies aim to enhance tumor-specific T cells and provide an alternative immune response for durable cancer eradication.